Best Ways to Tour Tokyo

Are you planning a trip to Tokyo? Perhaps you’re wondering what is the best way to get around Japan. Should you travel alone? Or should you travel with a guide? Maybe it’s better to travel with a group instead..the choice is endless!

Don’t worry!

Here in this article, I will give you some advice about the best way to travel Tokyo. Sit tight and hold on!

Traveling Japan Alone - Pros

Master of your trip

If you’re traveling alone, everything in your itinerary will be all up to you. You can input places that you would like to visit without worrying about what other would want. Moreover, you can stay in those places as long as you like. It guarantees the utmost freedom in your trip!

Meet new faces

If you’re traveling alone, you could have more time to spend finding new connections with people that you meet along the way! During my solo travels, it is not a rare thing for me to talk and later on travel with strangers I met along the way. It would be a completely new experience that would make your trip more memorable.

Traveling Japan Alone - Cons

Expensive Expenses

Traveling solo in Japan could be more expensive than traveling with a group of people. This is because you need to pay everything by yourself while traveling with a companion means you can split the expenses. Make sure you bring extra cash with you during your travels to take care of this problem!

Safety

Although Japan is regarded as a safe country in general, traveling alone still have it’s own risks. It is always a good thing to have an extra pair of eyes to look out for you during your travels in a foreign country. If you are thinking of traveling solo, you need to pay extra attention to your own safety.

Traveling to Japan with a Group - Pros

Ease

You would definitely get to relax if you’re traveling in a group. You don’t need to think about where to go, or how to get there! Traveling in a group guarantees you the utmost ease and the perfect meaning of a “holiday”!

Cheaper

Traveling with a companion means you could split the bills. In addition to that, some restaurants in Japan have set menus that are meant for “more than 2 people”. If you’re traveling alone, it might be a little bit tricky to convince the restaurant workers that you can finish the food for two. However, if you’re traveling with another person, you would have no problem buying those menus.

Traveling to Japan with a Group - Cons

Less freedom

This level of freedom depends on how many other people are in your group. If you’re traveling in a group, you should always remember what other people in your group wants to visit or see during your trip. Moreover, you usually have a specific time limit that you need to spend in each destination. That’s why traveling in a group might not be as convenient as you think.

Problems with your companion

You could easily have problems with your companion during your travel. The simplest problem would be miscommunication. Others would include a different opinion regarding your itinerary, or what to do next. This is inevitable, and something that you need to communicate clearly with your companions.

Transportations in Japan

Public Transport

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Japan’s public transport system is very complicated.

While it is very effective, the public transportation system in Japan could easily overwhelm new-comers. One could get lost easily if they don’t know how to navigate their way around big cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. Luckily, there is a free guidebook for Tokyo that contains transportation information as well as attraction spots.

Renting a car could help you spend your time effectively while traveling in Japan. Although the transport system in major cities are very effective, the same couldn’t be said in smaller towns. Some places only have trains every 3 hours, or maybe trains don’t even pass there anymore.

Because of this, renting a private car might be a good thing. You can also have the option of hiring a driver along with your rental car. For a list of available car and driver for hire in Japan, click here.

Bus Tours

Bus tours might be your next best option to make the most of your trip. You need not worry too much about your itinerary since you can just simply ride the bus and relax as they take you around the city. Furthermore, you can just join a bus tour for a single day during your trip to know the sights, then return again by yourself and spend more time in your favorite spots. For a list of bus tours available, click here!

More Tips

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Even with all of this information, navigating around Japan could still be a hassle.

Fear not!

I have an easy way out for you; hire a private guide! Your guide could be able to help you navigate your way to your destinations. Moreover, it doesn’t matter if you travel alone or with a group since your guide could still easily explain about the destinations you visit. This way, you can get more out of your trip.

If you are planning on hiring a tour guide, I suggest you get one from Triplelights! They have a recommended list of guides who can cater to your every travel needs. Their excellent customer service would also make sure that you get the best guide that will suit your preferences.

In this article, I have reviewed about the best way you can tour Tokyo, and some more trips to help you enjoy your journey more. Here’s to a good trip in Tokyo!

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If you are interested to know more and save your time during your trip to Tokyo, You can send a message to our local guides to get a customized itinerary and quotation for an unforgettable experience.

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Recent Tour Reviews in Tokyo

“ Visiting Tokyo with two small kids ”

Reiko was very knowledgale about all the places we visited. Her patience with my two grandkids age 5 and 7 was outstanding. We asked to go on the boat ride , but the kids were too slow to reach the place on time, she adjusted our schedule and gave us an opportinity to see everything on our list. Her English was very good, so I highly recommend her. Thank you Reiko for a wonderful day! read more

“ Very friendly and knowledgeable! ”

My family and I met Haruko for a morning at Meiji Shrine followed by a nice Tonkatsu lunch. We were impressed by not only her knowledge but also that she talked to each of us (ages ranged from 11 - 79). Would definitely recommend her! read more

“ Amazing day with many new experiences! ”

Myself and my sister were quite nervous coming to Japan, but Yoko was very helpful and showed us around the Tokyo area. We explored temples, shrines, the Metropolitan area, Tsukiji, and the intricate subways! I was confused on how to use the subway system, but she was very patient and helped us understand what we needed to look for. I would highly recommend planning a trip with Yoko, she is very k... read more

“ Asakusa Afternoon Trip ”

Takako was kind enough to accomodate our last minute location change and even met us at our new out of the way location for the meet up. From the time we met her to the end of the tour she did her best to make sure we were engaged, making easy and lively conversation. She showed us some of the best spots on the way to our Yukata appointment, made sure we got to see a beautiful skyline view and gav... read more

“ Fun day with Koichiro ”

This is our family’s first time in Tokyo. Without Koichiro, we will definitely spent more time looking for entrance and exit in the subway. He is very professional and accommodating. We change our itinerary many many times during the course of the day because of our son wants to spend more time in certain areas. We really had a fun filled day with Koichiro. Definitely recommend him for your first... read more

“ Most comprehensive Tokyo tour ”

We would not have been able to see as many sights in Tokyo on our own. Tokyo is very crowded especially in tourist sites and subways. Dai navigated us through the crowds and the subway maze with ease. Dai organized day so that one day we used all day subway ticket on first day and another day with our JR pass. He even knew which subway car was more efficient to get out to where the exit or tra... read more

“ Best guide in Tokyo! ”

Mitsuru was professional and contacted us leading up to the trip. He helped us navigate the airport and find our hotel when we arrived. This was invaluable for first time visitors! He recommended the best local dining spots and his tour itinerary was the perfect pace for my son and I! We saw amazing exhibits he recommended and got a great taste of Tokyo!!! He is knowledgeable and energetic and ... read more

“ A great introduction to Tokyo with a charming and informative guide ”

Mayumi made our introduction to Tokyo a truly memorable one. She helped us to craft a great itinerary, navigate public transport, get our bookings sorted for intercity travel later in our trip and organised some alternative experiences during the day when the weather turned. Mayumi is a very charming and informative guide. Thanks for a great day.
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“ Professionalism beyond expectations. ”

We were picked up before time From our hotel by a chauffeur in a black suit and white gloves.The car was luxurious with TV, water and WiFi. We toured several sites and had plenty of times for pictures and food. I highly recommend this car service. read more